Golfer's Passion the Driving Force Behind Charity Day

October 21st, 2008 - Media Statement

Scott Kirkbride's passion for golf is something those closest to him will always remember, so to raise funds for his legacy - the Nedlands-based Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre (SKMRC) - his friends and family will host the fourth annual Charity Golf Day at Wembley Golf Complex.

Helping to raise funds at the Tuesday November 11 event for their third year running, 720 ABC Perth personalities Geoff Hutchison and Andrew Wynne will host the evening's dinner and auction.

Wembley Golf Complex Director and pro-golfer Rob Farley said it was always an honour to host the fundraising day, which was their most important yearly event because it was so close to their hearts.

"The organizers, the staff and the players go all-out for this event every year and put on an amazing day in Scott's memory - and I'm sure this year will be no exception," he said.

"Scott was part of the family at Wembley Golf Complex for many years and his passing affected all of us deeply, so this day is as much a celebration of what he meant to us all and our club as much as it is to raise funds for skin cancer research."

Scott's mother and SKMRC founder Yvonne Kirkbride said that without-a-doubt, golf was Scott's greatest passion in life.

"Scott absolutely loved sports and the outdoors, and began playing golf at 14 years old - he always dreamed of becoming a professional golfer and was defending his fifth Club title at the Cottesloe Golf Club when his battle with melanoma began," she said.

"That's why the Charity Golf Day is so important to us - we want to celebrate Scott's life through his love of golf and help to raise vital funds in support of the SKMRC's research into the genetic and environmental causes of melanoma."

Western Australia has the second highest rate of skin cancer in the country.

"We're all excited about this year's Golf Day, it's an amazing event where people come to have a fun day on the green in support of a very worthy cause," Mr Farley said.

"It's been an amazing four years of events, which has helped to raise more than $40,000 toward melanoma research at the SKMRC, and this year we hope to top our yearly tally."

The 2008 SKMRC ABC Charity Golf Day will tee off at midday and includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, followed by a dinner auction - and the opportunity to support skin cancer research at the SKMRC.

The SKMRC, based at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) was established in March 2005 in memory of Scott Kirkbride, who died from melanoma at the age of 27.

Bookings for the Charity Golf Day can be made by phoning the SKMRC on (08) 9224 0333 or contacting the Wembley Golf Complex on (08) 9387 7272.

For more information please contact:
Sarah Hayward
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0411 404 415
Office: (08) 9388 9280